This sample chapter discusses the operations that the system must perform from the time you power on the system until you receive a system logon prompt. In addition, it covers the steps required to properly shut down a system.

This chapter is from the book

Objectives

The following objectives for the Solaris System Administrator Exam are
covered in this chapter:

Explain how to execute boot PROM commands to

Identify the system's boot PROM version

Boot the system; access detailed information

List, change, and restore default NVRAM parameters

Display devices connected to the bus

Identify the system's boot device

Create and remove custom device aliases

View and change NVRAM parameters from the shell

Interrupt a hung system

Given a scenario involving a hung system, troubleshoot problems and
deduce resolutions.

Explain how to perform a system boot, control boot processes, and
complete a system shutdown, using associated directories, scripts, and commands.

You need to understand the primary functions of the OpenBoot environment,
which includes the programmable read-only memory (PROM. You need to have a
complete understanding of how to use many of the OpenBoot commands and how to
set and modify all the configuration parameters that control system bootup and
hardware behavior.

You must understand the entire boot process, from the proper power-on
sequence to the steps you perform to bring the system into multiuser mode.

You must be able to identify the devices connected to a system and recognize
the various special files for each device.

Occasionally, conventional shutdown methods might not work on an unresponsive
system or on a system that has crashed. This chapter introduces when and how to
use these alternative shutdown methods to bring the system down safely.

You must understand how the system run levels define which processes and
services are started at various stages of the boot process. You need to
understand all the run levels that are available in Solaris.

You need to understand how to add and modify run control scripts to customize
the startup of processes and services on Solaris systems. You need to have a
detailed understanding of the programs and configuration files involved at the
various run levels.

Outline

Introduction

Booting a System

Powering On the System

The Boot PROM and Program Phases

The OpenBoot Environment

Entry-Level to High-End Systems

Accessing the OpenBoot Environment

OpenBoot Firmware Tasks

The OpenBoot Architecture

The OpenBoot Interface

The Restricted Monitor

The Forth Monitor

Getting Help in OpenBoot

PROM Device Tree (Full Device Pathnames)

OpenBoot Device Aliases

OpenBoot NVRAM

The nvedit Line Editor

OpenBoot Security

OpenBoot Diagnostics

Input and Output Control

OpenBoot PROM Versions

Booting a System

The boot Command

The Kernel

System Run States

swapper

The init Phase

rc Scripts

Using the Run Control Scripts to Stop or Start Services

Adding Scripts to the Run Control Directories

System Shutdown

Commands to Shut Down the System

The /usr/sbin/shutdown Command

The /sbin/init Command

The /usr/sbin/halt Command

The /usr/sbin/reboot Command

The /usr/sbin/poweroff Command

Stopping the System for Recovery Purposes

Turning Off the Power to the Hardware

Summary

Apply Your Knowledge

Study Strategies

The following study strategies will help you prepare for the exam:

When studying this chapter, you should practice on a Sun system each
step-by-step process that is outlined. In addition to practicing the processes,
you should practice the various options described for booting the system.

You should display the hardware configuration of your Sun system by using
the various OpenBoot commands presented in this chapter. You need to familiarize
yourself with all the devices associated with your system. You should be able to
identify each hardware component by its device pathname.

You should practice creating both temporary and permanent device aliases.
In addition, you should practice setting the various OpenBoot system parameters
that are described in this chapter.

You should practice booting the system by using the various methods
described. You need to understand how to boot into single-user and multiuser
modes and how to specify an alternate kernel or system file during the boot
process.

During the boot process, you should watch the system messages and
familiarize yourself with every stage of the boot process. You should watch the
system messages that are displayed at bootup. You need to understand each
message displayed during the boot process from system power-on to bringing the
system into multiuser mode.

You need to thoroughly understand all the system run states, including
when and where to use each of them. In addition, you must understand run control
scripts and how they affect the system services. You should practice adding your
own run control scripts.

You should practice shutting down the system. You should make sure you
understand the advantages and disadvantages of each method presented.

Introduction

System startup requires an understanding of the hardware and the operating
system functions that are required to bring the system to a running state. This
chapter discusses the operations that the system must perform from the time you
power on the system until you receive a system logon prompt. In addition, it
covers the steps required to properly shut down a system. After reading this
chapter, you'll understand how to boot the system from the OpenBoot
programmable read-only memory (PROM) and what operations must take place to
start up the kernel and Unix system processes.